NATO | Expert on Ukraine’s NATO application: “This is a big turning point”

Ukrainian

Friday’s announcement about applying for NATO membership

constitutes a big turning point, estimates the French long-term security expert François Heisbourg.

“No one, not even [Ukrainan presidentti Volodymyr] Zelenskyi, did not think it would be possible to mention NATO. Now it is possible to mention NATO”, says Heisbourg.

“The Ukrainians have done that, and none of us are running away in fear. And no one is telling the Ukrainians to be quiet.”

Heisbourg commented on the matter to HS in connection with the Helsinki Security Forum security event.

He states that the reactions are now in the direction that the moment for Ukraine’s accession is not seen as right. At the same time, NATO membership is now the only topic of discussion when it comes to Ukraine’s future defense system.

“This is a big turning point.”

Heisbourg works as a senior European expert at the British Institute of International Affairs, IISS, and as a special advisor at the French Strategic Research Foundation, FRS. He was preparing a report on Finland’s NATO membership in 2016.

UKRAINE President Zelenskyi announced on Friday Ukraine to apply for accelerated accession to NATO.

The announcement came on the same day that Russia announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions to Russia “after referendums.”

West strongly condemned Russia’s announcement and stated that the territories were Ukraine.

Zelenskyi has been talking longer About Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, which Russia strongly opposes. However, after the war broke out in March, he let it be understood that the country can abandon the pursuit of membership.

Heisbourg considers Ukraine’s decision to submit the application right now very smart. It was seen as possible and the opportunity was seized.

“It was a step of non-violent escalation that forces the Russians back on their feet again,” he says.

“The Russians no longer have the initiative on the diplomatic or military battlefield. The West has the initiative and Ukraine has the initiative.”

NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg comment Ukraine’s announcement about applying for NATO membership is fresh by saying that every democracy in Europe has the right to apply for membership and the allies respect this. At the same time, he emphasized that the decision on membership is shared by all 30 member countries.

United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in turn said, that the United States has supported NATO’s open doors for years. Right now, however, the best way to support Ukraine is practical support in Ukraine, and the process in Brussels should be brought up at another time.

Heisbourg agrees with the US assessment that the time is not right. We are currently in a difficult situation where we are trying to control the escalation. Then they want to keep the initiative, he said.

“If you want to take the initiative, you have to have ammunition ready. […] The next time the Russians do something stupid, it will suddenly be the right time to investigate Ukraine’s request. It is done when it is useful.”